Dark Technology [Valo] - Mission II

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[attr="class","bsbody"]"Alex Dragon..."

Valo looked down at his phone, having received the message from his former... he wasn't sure if he was an enemy or what. Alex had griefed him and his family for months, trying everything he could to put them in the ground. And yet, in the District, Alex had tried to help Hyperion. It was certainly an uneasy prospect to have a guy who could flip-flop on you so quickly, but he decided he would humor Alex and see what he wanted. He sounded desperate, and Valo wondered why.

San Fran Splash... Valo kept the place's name in his head as he exited the monorail and proceeded to follow the directions Alex gave him. He wasn't particularly cautious right now, as they were in the middle of the city in broad daylight, and the last thing any 552 student needed was unwanted attention. His equipment was on him, although hidden underneath his clothing, so he was prepared if anything went south, but he wasn't exactly banking on it either.

Entering the cafe, Valo would look around for a moment before he saw Alex, and hesitating for a moment, he would approach him. For once, Valo didn't look at him with malice in his eyes. He was cautious, but he wasn't angry. He was merely curious.

"It's been a while, Alex... what could be so dire that you needed to come to me of all people?"

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[attr="class","bsbody"]The darkness inside of Alex... Valo felt he could relate to that, what with the Wraith inside of him always threatening to break forth. In the beginning, Valo kept his distance from people out of fear of hurting them. But staying away from others made it worse. It was Vivi and Jacket who reached through and helped him out, and it was his promise to Vivi that kept him going throughout his darkest times. People knew they were close, but he wasn't sure if anyone knew she was his lifeline.

Alex needed people to pull him out of it, just like he was pulled out.

"So, Shugo ended up picking you... color me surprised."

He took a look at the jacket, seeing it was Shugo's trademark jacket indeed. Yeah, Shugo was taking a vacation, all right... a vacation in a coffin underneath Yuy Corp. Valo didn't know when he'd wake up, but he trusted Alex to carry on his legacy... it seemed Valo would have to do the same. The kid really did look sorry, like he was trying to be better. It was the same look that Valo imagined he had when he pleaded to people for help. When he desperately wanted to be helped, how could he ever turn down anyone who needed the same aid?

"I might be able to help you..." Valo crossed his arms as he looked at Alex, talking just quiet enough for the two of them to hear. "I made a limiter for myself to keep the darkness at bay. It still seeps through sometimes, but it allows me to have more control over the Wraith inside of me. In theory, the same technology can help keep your darkness in check. I can't say if it'll be permanent or not, that might be up to you. But I can help you, Alex. If you really desire to become a Defender, I have no reason not to help."

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[attr="class","bsbody"]The Wraith did have control of him for a time. In New York, within the district walls, that was never Valo. Rather, it was the Wraith having a firm hold on him, guiding his every action and pushing him to take vengeance. He had become a monster, and even now in spite of all of his attempts to be better, he still hated himself for what he was allowing himself to become. But Vivi quelled it, and he tried hard to make his time better spent on helping others rather than hurting them. It was difficult, but it was a learning process.

"Yes, we will need to figure out exactly what is inside of you before anything."

He wondered what kind of dark power was guiding Alex's actions before, but if he was truly a good person... well, Valo would do what he could. He hoped this wasn't a ploy to get him to let his guard down, but he would give Alex the benefit of the doubt. Even before, when Valo gave him the chance to kill him, Alex didn't take it. He wondered why, but maybe this was it.

"As for being a Defender... I can do what I can to help you, and to train you if you want. But in the end, the progress you make and the strength you gain comes from within yourself. Your heart will be what drives you. Find something to protect, and use it as a motivation. I can teach you everything, but it matters little if you don't push yourself to utilize it properly."

He certainly had conviction, Valo would give him that much. He was well aware that something catastrophic could happen at any time, and he wanted to be prepared. For all he knew, Alex was another true ally in the making.

...Maybe you left something good behind after all, Shugo.